Ramblers had the opportunity to learn about Black history through a docent-led tour, asking questions and immersing themselves in thought-provoking exhibits. As they moved from one exhibit to the next, staff and student-athletes dove into a range of multimedia presentations, including photographs, videos, and interactive displays. These exhibits provided a vivid and immersive experience, allowing the group to not only learn about historical events but also feel a personal connection to the stories being told.

"I learned a lot about the civil rights movement. I knew Chicago was one of the cities that played a pretty major role in the civil rights movement, but I didn't know exactly how big," said Gabe Ryan, a Loyola track and field student-athlete. "Learning about that whole history was really cool. Going through and looking at all the pictures that they had; unfortunately, it's not the most uplifting news that we could learn about, but it's an important part of history that we do need to learn,"

The DuSable Museum boasts a rich and varied collection of over 15,000 items, ranging from paintings, sculptures, print works and historical artifacts. The non-profit museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Africans and African Americans. Drawing over 100,000 visitors each year, the museum offers a variety of exhibits, educational programs, and events to explore African American experiences and inspire future generations.

"I think everyone's experience was really good," said Loyola women's basketball assistant coach Jordan McCann. "Some of the student-athletes that were with us had some great questions, even questions I didn't think to ask and that I didn't know. I thanked them for even asking those questions to put those thoughts in my brain and give me a different perspective. Also, it was really cool to go there with other student-athletes and coaches. It was great to interact with them, and they got to ask me some questions with me being from Chicago. I thought that part was eye opening and really cool to be a part of,"

For some participants, the outing provided a unique chance to gain insights into cultures different from their own. As they toured exhibits, listened to stories, and engaged with cultural artifacts, they were able to broaden their perspectives and deepen their understanding of diversity.

"For me, especially being a first-generation American, I think learning about different people and their experiences is such a huge blessing," said Esma Ajanovic, a LUC volleyball student-athlete. "It was such a good opportunity to help me be more of a well-versed individual and learn about other people - the struggles that they might have gone through or the struggles that their communities might have gone through. Especially the community here in Chicago that has so much to offer culturally, I think that learning about those things is important. Learning how to relate to people, understand why they do things, where their values come from, or maybe some of the struggles that they face. That's how we learn how to work through those things together and be better as a society,"

Loyola Athletics' trip to the DuSable Museum is the second department-wide outing RAE has piloted. Last spring, the group organized a department trip to the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

To learn more about the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center and how you can visit, click here.